Packed meeting on data center draft ordinance; Possible data center coming to Mandan
A crowded meeting was held in Morton County, North Dakota, regarding a draft ordinance to regulate future data center development, including a possible facility in Mandan. Residents voiced strong concerns about community impacts like noise, light pollution, environmental effects, and taxpayer costs. They hope for significant changes to the proposed regulations.
A heavily attended public meeting took place at the Morton County Courthouse in North Dakota concerning a proposed ordinance to establish regulations for future data center construction. The meeting, which lasted three hours and drew a standing-room-only crowd of at least 150 people, addressed the potential for a data center in Mandan and other areas within the county.
Residents expressed widespread frustrations regarding the perceived lack of planning and consideration for community impacts. Key concerns raised included increased noise and light pollution, potential environmental impacts, and financial burdens on taxpayers due to infrastructure upgrades like road repaving.
One speaker specifically advocated for a stricter requirement for light shielding to mitigate vertical light pollution, which they noted significantly affects migratory birds, for which North Dakota is known. Attendees hoped their opinions would lead to significant revisions of the current draft ordinance.